The editors of the Press Service International young writer program with Christian Today met on 3 June at One Day in Melbourne—determined—every second week a previous 'top article' be reviewed—in the weekly young writer memo.
Over a series of articles through to the end of the year I am bringing you these 'top articles and the reviews'.
Review by Sam Gillespie—6.6.17
Article by Alison Barkley
For our first article today: Learning to fall in love…with myself! (http://christiantoday.com.au/news/learning-to-fall-in-lovewith-myself.html) by Alison Barkley.
Alison was the winner of the first Australian recipient of the Basil Sellers Young Writers Award in the 2013 awards.
This article is from August that year and presents some open reflection on daily experiences with a Christian perspective on how she sees them in her life.
The structure used in this article performs an excellent job of weaving a personal openness, a frank realness and a final focus on God's love for us as the ultimate solution.
For mention as the 2nd article, 2013 NZ Basil Sellers Award winner—Daniel Jang, titled—'Ctrl-alt-del—Rebooting life'
http://christiantoday.com.au/news/ctrl-alt-del-rebooting-life.html
Review by Rebecca Moore—22.6.17
Article by Casey Murray
The award winning article today it is by Casey Murray in 2013. Her article entitled So what’s the plan, was scored (from Mark’s recollection) 9.5 and 10s by the panellists at the time, and it’s easy to see why when you read it!
Casey begins by telling a humorous story from her childhood, she then asks some deep questions about God’s plan for our lives and what happens if we mess it up—some questions that people probably often ask themselves, and some questions that may not have been thought of but are thought-worthy. After discussing it for a bit, Casey ties it back in with her beginning story providing a well-rounded satisfying and though-provoking article that will linger with the reader for longer than the few minutes it took to read.
Casey has a unique voice in her writing and by the end of it, you’ll want to make friends with her as her deep thinking and happy-go-lucky personality shines through. Click on the link and check it out—it may just inspire you in the writing of your next article!
So what’s the plan ?
http://christiantoday.com.au/news/so-whats-the-plan.html
The Australian article to note—Laura Veloso the 2013 Australian young writer ‘runner up’—Panellists voted this article as her best, “Travelling the good the bad and the ugly—wee home”
http://christiantoday.com.au/news/travelling-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-wee-home.html
Review by Irenie How—6.7.17
Article by Sam Manchester
Sam Manchester’s article Satisfaction is an excellent example of how to tackle a big subject in a readable manner. Here’s how he did it:
- Start with a big idea.
- Tell a simple story to introduce it.
- Elaborate on the original basic point.
- Transition to a secondary story, an illustration that further breaks down your big idea.
- Relate it to the first story so readers understand your connection.
- Explain the point of your stories, how it relates to faith.
- Give the reader something to do about it.
Can you see this in the article? (Hint: bartering, money, clothing and need, constructed values, contentment in everything, look for it in Jesus.) Structure a progression from simple to elaborated really is the best way to work out a tricky idea so give it a go!
20.9.11—Satisfaction by Sam Manchester
http://christiantoday.com.au/news/satisfaction.html
Additional top article—this week Kiwi young writer Sam Burrows and republished by numbers of NZ Christians publications and a Bronze ARPA award 2014.
13 August 2012 —I want a new New Zealand
http://christiantoday.com.au/news/i-want-a-new-new-zealand.html
Both Sam's—Sam Manchester (Aust) and Sam Burrows (NZ) won their respective Young Writer Theology Awards.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children